On February 24, Maxwell was traded along with a 4th round pick in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, to the Atlanta Thrashers for Brent Sopel and Nigel Dawes.[1] He scored his first NHL goal on March 27, 2011 against Craig Anderson of the Ottawa Senators. He was also named first star of that game. On July 18, 2011, Maxwell signed a one-year $715,000 contract with the Winnipeg Jets. On November 10, 2011, Maxwell was claimed off waivers by the Anaheim Ducks.[2] When the Ducks placed Maxwell on waivers on December 6, he was re-claimed by the Jets.

On July 6, 2012 Maxwell re-signed to a one-year, $650,000 contract extension with the Jets. In the 2012–13 season, Maxwell was assigned directly to AHL affiliate, the St. John's IceCaps. He remained there for the duration of the year, scoring 11 goals and 40 points in 74 games. On August 11, 2013, Maxwell with the intention to regain NHL interest, Maxwell signed a one-year contract abroad in the Finnish SM-liiga with Kärpät Oulu where he won the Finnish championship in April, 2014.[3]